By RMxtra Newsroom – 1 December 2025
Real Madrid step into December under real pressure after a 1–1 draw away at Girona that extended their winless run in LaLiga and allowed Barcelona to stay top of the table. For a team built to dominate domestically and in Europe, the feeling around the club right now is one of frustration, urgency and a demand for a reaction.
Girona 1–1 Real Madrid: Two Points Dropped at Montilivi
From an RMxtra point of view, the trip to Montilivi was supposed to be the night Real Madrid reset their title charge. Instead, it became another reminder that this team is still searching for consistency.
Madrid started with personality, seeing plenty of the ball and pushing Girona back, but the final pass and decision-making in the final third were not sharp enough. Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior both found pockets of space and produced dangerous moments, yet clear chances were limited in the first half.
Just before half-time, Madrid were punished. Girona found joy exploiting space around the box, and Azzedine Ounahi struck a powerful effort beyond Thibaut Courtois to make it 1–0. The goal was a snapshot of Madrid’s current issues: one lapse, one moment of indecision, and the opponents take advantage.
The response after the break was much more like Real Madrid. The team played higher, pressed with greater intensity and forced Girona to sit deeper. Vinícius had the ball in the net only to see it ruled out, but he kept driving at defenders and eventually made the difference. Cutting in from the left, he was clipped inside the area, and the referee pointed to the spot.
Mbappé took responsibility and calmly converted the penalty for 1–1, adding another goal to his impressive first season in white. Madrid pushed hard for the winner in the final stages – with Mbappé, Vinícius and Arda Güler all threatening – but the decisive goal never came.
On paper, it’s an away draw. In reality, it feels like two big points have been dropped in a title race where the margin for error is shrinking rapidly.
LaLiga Situation: From Control to Chase
Not long ago, Real Madrid had a healthy lead at the top of LaLiga. Now, after a run of dropped points, they find themselves chasing Barcelona instead of pulling away from them.
Key realities as of 1 December 2025:
- Madrid remain in the top two, but are now one point behind Barcelona after 14 games.
- Villarreal and Atlético are close behind, making this not just a two-horse race.
- The team’s recent run – three straight league draws – has shifted the mood from calm confidence to nervous concern.
For a club of Madrid’s size, the problem is not just the table, it’s the trend. Dropping points repeatedly in games where they had control has raised legitimate questions about game management, focus and finishing.
Pressure on Xabi Alonso: RMxtra View
Naturally, the spotlight now falls on Xabi Alonso. At RMxtra, we can say clearly: the project still has exciting elements, but the pressure has grown significantly.
What’s working
- Attacking potential: With Mbappé, Vinícius and Bellingham, Madrid still carry a constant threat. When the team plays with rhythm and intensity, they can overwhelm any opponent.
- Character in difficult moments: Even in Girona, the team didn’t collapse. They fought back into the game and pushed to the final whistle.
What’s worrying
- Conversion of dominance: Madrid are controlling large periods of matches but not turning that into clear, repeated chances or comfortable wins.
- Small details in big moments: Defensive lapses, poor marking, and occasional lack of concentration are costing crucial points.
- Growing noise around the dressing room: When results dip, every decision is questioned – from line-ups to substitutions and how big personalities are managed.
Inside the club, this period is being treated as a serious warning. An internal review is planned for this week to analyse what is going wrong and what needs to be adjusted. The message is not panic, but it is absolutely clear: performances and results must improve immediately.
RMxtra Focus: Mbappé, Vinícius and the Need for Efficiency
The Mbappé–Vinícius partnership is central to any success this season. Both are producing moments of brilliance, but RMxtra’s analysis is that Madrid now needs efficiency, not just excitement.
- Mbappé continues to score decisive goals, including the penalty at Girona, but he also had a big chance late on that went begging. For a player of his standard, those moments will be the difference between a good season and a historic one.
- Vinícius was again at the heart of Madrid’s most dangerous attacks, winning the penalty and constantly stretching Girona’s defenders. At the same time, he needs the right balance between emotion and control in key moments.
Behind them, Jude Bellingham is still working his way back to full sharpness after his shoulder problems, and the midfield is adjusting around him. When the three click together, Madrid look unstoppable – but right now it’s happening in bursts rather than for the full 90 minutes.
Transfer Watch: Left-Back Planning for 2026
While the focus is on immediate results, Madrid are also planning for the future. One area constantly monitored is the left-back position. The club wants long-term security on that flank to match the level of the rest of the squad.
A key profile on the radar is a young, athletic, attack-minded left-back from the Bundesliga, capable of defending large spaces, overlapping with intensity and contributing to build-up. RMxtra understands that this type of player is high on the list for 2026, and significant investment in that zone of the pitch is being considered.
For now, it’s about scouting, data, and patience – but the direction is clear: Madrid wants the left side of the defence to be as strong and modern as the rest of the team.
What Comes Next: San Mamés as a Turning Point
All eyes now move to the next LaLiga fixture away at Athletic Club. For RMxtra, that match already feels like:
- A test of character.
- A test of tactical clarity.
- A test of whether this squad is fully behind the coach and ready to respond.
A win at San Mamés would calm the situation, keep Madrid right on Barcelona’s tail, and restore belief that this is just a difficult patch. Another slip could push the club into a much more intense phase of reflection and decision-making.